Hraimeh Spicy Libyan Fish Recipes

CIOPPINO: A FINE KETTLE OF FISH

Steps:

• In a large pot over moderate heat combine oil, crushed pepper, anchovies, garlic, and bay. Let anchovies melt into oil. The anchovies act as a natural salt, the pepper flakes will infuse the oil, providing heat.
• Chop celery and onion near stove and add to the pot as you work. Saute vegetables for a few minutes to begin to soften and add wine to the pot. Reduce wine a minute, then add chicken stock, tomatoes, thyme, and parsley. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to medium low.
• Season fish chunks with salt and pepper. Add fish and simmer 5 minutes, giving the pot a shake now and then. Do not stir your soup with a spoon after the addition of fish or you will break it up. Add shrimp, scallops, and mussels and cover pot. Cook 10 minutes, giving the pot a good shake now and again.
• Remove the lid and discard any mussels that do not open. Carefully ladle stew into shallow bowls and pass bread at the table.

LIBYAN AHARAIMI (FISH IN TOMATO SAUCE)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Roast the bell peppers on a foil-lined baking sheet, turning every 10 minutes or so, until tender and charred, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer peppers to a paper bag, seal tightly and let steam, 5 minutes. Peel the bell peppers, then remove the stems and seeds. Slice lengthwise into 1/2-inch strips; set aside.
• While the bell peppers roast, blanch the tomatoes: Add enough water to come two-thirds up the side of a large, lidded Dutch oven or pot and bring to a boil. Score the bottom of each tomato lightly with an X. Once the water boils, cook the tomatoes until the skin splits, 1 to 2 minutes, working in batches if necessary. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside until cool enough to handle. Using your fingers, peel the tomatoes, discarding the skin and stems. Purée the tomatoes in a food processor.
• Rinse and dry the pot, then warm the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and chile and cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Pour the tomato purée into the pot, then add the cumin, caraway, cinnamon, salt and sugar, if using, and stir to combine. Simmer over medium-low, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt. (Tomato sauce can be prepared one day in advance.)
• Slip the fish into the warm sauce in a single layer and simmer, covered, until the fish is just cooked and feels firm to the touch, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and carefully spoon some of the sauce onto a serving platter. Using two spatulas, gently transfer each piece of fish to the platter; spoon sauce around the fillets or serve additional sauce on the side. Lay the sliced bell pepper over each piece of fish, then sprinkle with the cilantro and parsley and squeeze with 1 or 2 lemon wedges. Serve hot or at room temperature, with remaining lemon wedges and harissa, if using.

MOHNKUCHEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C/ 350°F.
• Grease and line a 26 cm/ 10 inch springform cake tin.
• Melt the margarine and then reduce the heat to very very low. Add the chocolate and water. When it starts to melt, take off the heat and then continue to stir until fully melted. Set aside. This forms the chocolate topping for the cake.
• Separate the eggs. Whisk the egg whites with the salt until snowy peaks are formed. Add half the sugar slowly and whisk until stiff.
• Beat the egg yolks and the rest of the sugar together. Add four tablespoons of the chocolate topping and mix.
• Stir the poppy seeds, walnuts and raisins into the egg-chocolate mix.
• Fold in half of the egg whites into the poppy seed mix.
• Fold in the other half of the egg whites. Pour the mixture into the cake tin.
• Bake for 40 - 45 minutes.
• Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the tin.
• Reheat the chocolate topping (easiest in the microwave, you can also do it over a bowl of hot water but NEVER over an open flame) and pour over the cake. Leave to cool.

HARAIMI - LIBYAN SPICY FRIDAY NIGHT FISH

Steps:

• Combine half the garlic, kammon hoot, salt and lemon juice together in a bowl.
• Add the fish and toss to coat then cover and set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan and use to fry the onion and remaining garlic until golden brown (about 12 minutes).
• Add the tomato purée and passata and simmer for about 8 minutes then add the marinated fish and their marinade along with the water.
• Bring to a simmer then cook on low heat for about 15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
• Transfer the fish to a warmed serving plate and garnish with coriander and lemon wedges. Pour the sauce into a bowl and serve on the side.
• Read more at Celtnet: http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/miscellaneous/fetch-recipe.php?rid=misc-haraimi.
• Copyright © celtnet.

LIBYAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a four-quart casserole or saucepan. Add onion and lamb or chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, cayenne or harissa, saffron and salt and pepper. Stir, then add 8 cups water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes.
• Add orzo and chickpeas and cook 15 minutes, until orzo is tender. Add cilantro and parsley. Taste and adjust salt and cayenne or harissa. Add dried mint. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve.

HRAIMEH (SPICY LIBYAN FISH)

Steps:

• Mix oil, water, lemon juice, tomato puree, garlic, salt and spices.
• Pour into a wide shallow pan and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the fish and turn it over on both sides so it absorbs the sauce. Cover and cook on a low heat for 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle with parsley or coriander and serve.